[senco-forum] Death

Hi Sue
  I'd agree with the other postings you've got - you need to follow her wishes.  We have had a similar experience to you in that two pupils died last year, one of cystic fibrosis and one of Freidreichs Ataxia.  They didn't get the chance to leave Year 11 but we planned as if they were going to be able to move on.

  I have always found Connexions to be very helpful in working with pupils whose SEN meant that they needed support at post-16 level.  I have pupils with SEN in college with a high level of support funded by the Learning and Skills Council and Connexions helped to arrange that.  We would not have the option of a sixth form with us because we are 11-16 so college placements are compulsary by default.
  I'd also say that one thing to explore is whether the college feel that they can support her.  Then I think I'd just leave it up to her and her parents.  Hard to deal with I  know.

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall
  Where there's been no snow (boo) but rain so heavy we are thinking of abandoning lessons to club together to build an ark.

KEVIN HEALY <kevinhealy at btinternet.com> wrote:
  I am getting very fed up with certain strands taking over SENCO Forum. Can we please get back to those we work with and their needs.
I have a Year 11 girl who has Ehlers-Danloss type 4. For thosw who don't know and this will be almost everyone on the forum, I only learnt about it when she came to us. This condition is genetic, where parents genes determine it.
This is a degenerative condition, where there is bleeding under the skin, dislocation and strokes which obviously affect functioning. We work closely with the specialists, and our young person and her family are determined to carry on as normal. At her last annual review we discussed the move from Year 11 to the future. Sh eprefers the local FE college but the course she has chosen will not be supported, we have suggested our joint 6th form with our " partner school", she wants to go to college, in my heart of hearts I know she needs to stay with people who know her.
Don't think I am criticising our local college, they have done fantastic work with loads of SEN students. My problem is this student could die tomorrow, at school we are ready having had 3 students die in the past 4 years, however where do I direct her ?
To an Fe college of 2000 where she is unknown, or to a joint 6th form of 150, where her needs are known, but which she tells me she would not like to go to as she wants to go to college.
Lets get back to what really is why we are doing what we are doing.
Sue
P.S. her parents, Mum and sister are teachers and brother is in Iraq, so we are also contending with that, are ambivalent about the whole thing.
Sue

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall